Splint



Dec. 24, 1929. c. CARVILL 1,741,011

SPLINT Filed Nov. 5, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 :i Il:-l-

1 1 l l l mnxm zgg QM I] l p I I 1 1 1 I l I 1 1 l a gym 6 Dec. 24,1929. c, CARVILL 1,741,011

SPLINT Filed Nov. 5, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 24, 1929 PATENTOFFICE CLARENCE CARVILL, 0F CLINTON, MASSACHUSETTS SPLINT Applicationfiled November This invention relates to surgery.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved splint andbandage, and to provide a splint which is suitable for universal use andquickly adaptable to use upon the leg, arm, feet, back, spine, ribs, orany other por tion of the body.

A further object of this invention is to provide a splint or reinforcedbandage or" easy and quick adjustment to the circumference it embraces.

A further object of this invention is to provise a splint which can bedismounted while upon the wearer and can be removed entirely from itsholdings while in use, and in which a fracture can be cleansed withoutremoving the splint, and in which an operation can be performed withoutremoving the splint and its pressure upon the patient, and to provide asplint susceptible or" easing up on the patients "fracture.

A further object of this invention is to provide a splint unaffected bymoisture, perspiration, or other elements, and one which is quickly andeasily cleansed and disinfected without impairment of the splint or itsappearance.

vVith the foregoing and other objects in view, I have invented thedevice shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view 01" one form or" my invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of a modification,

Figure 3 is a showing of the form in Figure 1, used as a body splint,and

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional detail of a portion of the device.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the severalviews and in the specification, in which there is provided a pair ofbelt-like elements 2, which belt-like elements are preferably formed ofa single lower strap 3, to which is stitched a fluted strap 4, leavingin the flutes tubular channels 5. Laced into the tubular channels andinterconnecting the belts 2, are rods 6, which rods 6 are preferably ofbakelite, or other resin, although they may be made of wood or metal orother suitable elements. Bakelite is most suitable for this, due to thefact that it is ab- 5, 1926. Serial No. 146,371.

solutely nonhygroscopic and unaiiected by of the acids or other elementswhich would tend to disintegrate, destroy or impair the beauty andappearance of the rods. These rods 6 are slidable within the tubes 5, sothat at any time one or more of the rods may be removed, therebypermitting a cleansing of a wound, or operations such as probing forsmall bone fragments, or for easing up, and for amultitude of purposeswhich will become obvious to the nurse or physician, which can beaccomplished without impairing the support afforded by the splint, andthe whole splint may be removed and cleansed by degrees without removingthe splint, that is to say, alternate sections may be removed andcleansed and then reinserted, then other alternate sections may beremoved and cleansed, with the splint still in its reinforcing position.

The splint sections 6 support by means of F tubes 7, connecting bands 8,which connecting bands 8 are preferably of elastic and are pro videdwith terminal hooks 9. These connecting bands are preferably mounted toone of the splint sections, another to another of the splint sections,and the third to still another; and may be arranged to suit the use towhich applied. The sliding freedom of the element 8 in its connectionwith the section 6, by reason or the tube 7, is such that the element 8may be high or low, and likewise the sliding relation of the bands 2 issuch that the section 6 may be either high or low, relative to the bands2, or certain of the elements 6 may bridge either of the elements 6,providing for various suitable adjustments, and the bands 2 are suitablefor universal use in various sizes and shapes by changing, if desired,the stays 6 by substitution of smaller or larger stays.

The hooks 9 are adapted to hook over one of the stays anc, as clearlyshown in Figure 3, the elastic bands 8 may pass once or more times aboutthe body of the wearer, or the limb, allowing a multitudinous variationof selective tensions by engaging with the hook 9 any one of the stays6.

In the modification shown in Figure 2, I show an arrangement especiallysuitable for an arm splint, in which I use preferably four of the belts2, and use in the medial ortion long stays 6, and in the side portions adouble set of stays 6.

It is obvious that a multitude of variations and arrangements may behad.

It is also obvious that to accommodate different portions of the bodyvarying sizes may be had, or advantage may be taken of the use of acommon set of belts using different sized stays with the belts, and itis contemplated 10 by this invention to use either an universal deviceor a plurality of different devices of this character suitable forbandaging such as the arm, leg, feet, back, spine, or ribs.

Claims:

1. A splint comprising spaced elongated belt-like elements, each of saidelements being provided therea-long with a series of tubular members,rods for connecting said elements, each of said rods having one endportion selectively insertible within a tubular member of one elementand its opposite end portion selectively insertible within a tubularmember of a second element, and a series of elongated retaining bands,each of said bands being secured at one end portion to a rod for slidingmovement along said rod, the opposite end portion of said band beingprovided with means adapted for securement to a selected rod.

2. A splint comprising two series of elongated flexible belt-likeelements, each of said elements being provided therealong with tubularmembers, elongated rods connected to the medial portions of thebelt-like elements of both series of such elements and selectively andfreely engaged through certain of the tubular members, additional rodsconnecting the end portions of the elements of each series, said lastnamed rods being freely and selectively engaged through the tubularmembers carried by the elements of such series, and retaining membersassociated with the rods at points between the elements of each series.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

-CLARENCE CARVILL.

